The World Food Programme (WFP) hosted an exploratory meeting with the Board Members and Secretariat of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the UN House in Dhaka. The meeting aimed to highlight WFP’s ongoing efforts in Bangladesh and explore potential avenues for collaboration with the private sector.
Representing JBCCI at the meeting were Mr. Manabu Sugawara, Past President of JBCCI; Mr. AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu; Mr. Hiroshi Uegaki; and Mr. Rabiul Alam. JBCCI Executive Director Ms. Tahera Ahsan also attended the meeting along with members of the Secretariat.
The WFP team, led by Ms. Ji Young Kim, Partnerships Team Lead, provided an insightful presentation on WFP’s 50-year journey in Bangladesh. She elaborated on the organization’s current operations, ongoing programs, and delivery modalities. This was followed by a detailed presentation on WFP’s supply chain and procurement systems, highlighting opportunities for engagement with the private sector.
Also present from WFP were Mr. Mahfuz Alam, Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response; Mr. Md. Sabbir Ahmmed, Program Associate of the School Feeding Program; and Mr. Myron Kamensa, Officer-in-Charge of the Supply Chain Unit. During the interactive Q&A session, the WFP team addressed several questions from the JBCCI delegation, providing clarity and insights on WFP’s operations.
The JBCCI representatives were impressed by the scale and impact of WFP’s initiatives in vulnerable and remote regions across Bangladesh. The meeting was regarded as highly productive, and JBCCI expressed appreciation for the opportunity, considering it a valuable step toward fostering future partnerships between WFP and the chamber’s members.
